Many people live with chronic pain every day. Finding a health-care provider who is knowledgeable about pain -- its causes and treatments -- can help you get the treatment you need to go about your daily life with less discomfort. Remember that you are the expert on your pain, so you should be an active participant in developing a plan to manage it. Here are some questions that can help you find the right doctor and/or get the answers you need from your doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Have you treated others with the type of pain I have?
• Do you think I need more evaluation to determine what is causing my pain and whether there is any effective treatment?
• What are the options for treating my pain?
• What kind of medications work best for this type of pain?
• Are there any risks associated with treatment?
• Do you ever recommend alternative therapies (acupuncture, massage, hypnosis, herbal remedies), either alone or in combination with prescription medications?
• What type of specialists do you work with?
• Can you help me set realistic goals about the level of pain relief I can expect?
• Is it likely that the pain will ever go away completely?
• How will we work together to figure out a treatment plan that works best for me?
• How often should I see you?
• What if we disagree about what treatment is best for me?
• What should I do if I have a pain crisis or emergency?

Questions your doctor may ask you or that you may want to tell your doctor

• How long have you had your pain?
• What is your pain like?
• What makes your pain better or worse?
• Do you have any ideas about what could be causing it?
• What evaluations and treatments have you tried in the past?
• What treatments are you currently using?
• How much pain are you in right now? (using a scale of 1-10)
• How does your pain interfere with your daily social and physical activities?
• Are you able to work?
• Does it cause sleep problems?
• Has your pain caused you to feel sad or anxious?
• What are your personal goals regarding your pain and ability to function?
• Are there evaluations and treatments you have considered but not yet tried?
• Do you have a history of alcohol or substance abuse?
• May I get your permission to contact your prior doctors for more information about evaluations and treatments you have had in the past?